Full Notification

MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 27, 2022
 
CONTACT: Kelsey Johnston, Public Information Officer, [email protected]
 
 

 
The Meridian Police Department is warning citizens about a telephone scam that has recently made its way to the Treasure Valley.
 
The department has received multiple reports of scammers who claim to be with Idaho Power. The scammers inform the victims that they are behind on their power bill and in order to keep their power turned on, they must bring their account to current immediately. Payments are requested either with their credit card information or via a money transfer application such as Zelle. Calls are showing as Idaho Power on caller ID through a process called spoofing: where phone numbers are disguised as coming from a trusted source.  
 
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Do not provide your personal or financial information over the phone if it is a call you did not expect.
• Scammers will create a sense of urgency to make payment. Resist the pressure to act immediately and hang up.
• Never pay in gift cards or with a money transfer application.

 
Idaho Power has also reported an uptick in door to door solar sales scams with individuals claiming to be affiliated with Idaho Power. While Meridian Police Department has not received any reports of this scam, Idaho Power wants residents to know “any Idaho Power visits to customers’ homes will be preceded by a phone call or other communication. Idaho Power employees will arrive in a company vehicle clearly marked with Idaho Power’s logo”. For more information from Idaho Power about common scams, see https://www.idahopower.com/scams.

If you are a victim of fraud, please file a police report. This can be done by calling non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790 or at the Meridian Police Department located at 1401 E Watertower St., Meridian, ID 83642.
  The Meridian Police Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality service in partnership with the community to preserve and protect life and property through education, prevention and enforcement.  The department has 133 police officers and 41 non-sworn staff dedicated to making Meridian a great place to live, work and raise a family.